Our own Nysa - her story

This is the story of our own Nysa. By her name it seems it will be a story full of glitter and glam. But it is not so. Nysa was born to an affluent family. Her father was an acclaimed lawyer. She, however, could not know her mother as her mother had passed away when she was only two. Her father had bestowed upon her all his love and she had come out to be a beautiful, educated and cultured lady. She had risen to become an acclaimed doctor herself. During her medical studies, she had met Arun, a brilliant lad from Kerala. They had fallen in love as their mindsets were so alike and they had dreamt to build their life together with love and do their share for humanity by building a hospital with multi-specialty clinics and serving the poor. Arun and Nysa joined a reputed Hospital in Mumbai and their journey to fulfill their dreams started with cheer and happiness.

Well, first hurdle on their route was to get married. Nysa had never let her father down. Her father, too, had brought the motherless girl up with so much love that, he could not say no to his daughter’s chosen one. Arun’s parents initially opposed to an inter-state match. Their concern was what would their society think of such an alliance? His elder sister was already married and what would her in-laws say about it? Arun, however, persuaded his parents to at the least meet the girl and her father. They reached Ahmedabad and Nysa’s parent welcomed them to their house with honor. Arun’s parents were overwhelmed by Nysa’s upbringing and her father’s conduct and demeanor. They found Nysa very approving. All social barriers were forgotten and cultural differences were sorted out. Nysa and Arun were married.

So far, so good. They should have lived happily ever after, as far as I or you can imagine. They got married in Ahmedabad as it was her father’s wish that he marry his only daughter from his ancestral house. Next day after marriage, Nysa and Arun left for Addur, with Arun’s family and relatives. Nysa was so excited to visit his hometown and she was thrilled to be a part of a complete family. Arun took Nysa to Munnar for their honeymoon. Days were happier and happier. They were so much in love. Theirs was a perfect match made in heaven.

Honeymoon over, they returned to Addur to stay there for some days before heading back to Mumbai. Arun loved his mother very much. Nysa was a motherless child so she was drawn to his mother. Nysa thought she will get her motherly share of love from her mother in-law. First day, they returned from Munnar, she took bath early in the morning and entered kitchen so that she could make breakfast for her in-laws. She was excited to perform her first duties as a married woman. She was a good cook and it came out quite well and to her satisfaction. She served whatever she had prepared to her husband and her in-laws. Her in-laws ate their breakfast in silence and didn’t say anything. She asked her husband how was the food. And he replied that it was not bad. Nysa remembered her father how he used to appreciate her cooking. She thought maybe her own father was biased. She suppressed her feelings and thought maybe the food didn’t come out to their satisfaction. Her sister in-law was coming for lunch that very day and Nysa thought it would be a good opportunity to impress her in-laws. So she asked her mother in-law, if she could prepare the lunch. Her mother-in-law said since it was Nysa’s own house now, she can prepare food if she likes when guests are coming. Nysa was so overwhelmed with what her mother-in-law said that tears came into her eyes. She was very happy to cook that day. She prepared four varieties of curry, two different varieties of rice and sweet dishes. Nysa’s sister-in-law Preethi, came with her husband and children. Nysa served them with full enthusiasm. Preethi, Preethi’s children and husband were all praises for Nysa. When she served her father-in-law, mother-in-law and Arun, her father-in-law commented that he had never tasted anything better. When Nysa looked at Arun’s eyes, she was overjoyed to see his expression. He was looking very proud. She asked him again how the food was. He replied it was okay. Nysa thought maybe Arun was acting shy to praise her in front of his parents. She didn’t mind though as the look in his eyes had spoken much.

After her sister-in-law and her family left, Nysa’s mother in-law called Nysa to her room and told her that the food Nysa had prepared was not up to the mark. Since, Nysa had cooked for the first time at their house, everyone was praising her. She told Nysa that as Nysa was a motherless child, she understood that Nysa did not get proper training of cooking. She asked Nysa to learn cooking fast as her son is fond of eating. Nysa then had her lunch alone with a heavy heart. After lunch she washed all the utensils and went to her own room and wept. Arun asked her what was wrong. Nysa told him what her mother had told her. Arun said his mother was a very good cook, what Nysa cooked was nice but maybe his mother had thought something was missing in the ingredients and that was why she had told Nysa all those things. He asked Nysa to take that in a positive way. Nysa thought that Arun might be right after all.

Next day, her mother-in-law told her and Arun to go visit a nearby temple and asked Nysa not to eat non-veg that day. Nysa and Arun visited the temple and offered prayers to the deity. When they returned, they were asked to come for lunch. Lunch was served and everything there was non-veg. Arun asked his mother what was Nysa supposed to eat, and the reply came as whatever is left out from the other day, she can eat. Nysa with tears in her eyes left the room. After finishing his lunch, Arun came to console her and asked her not to mind anything as his mother didn’t mean anything wrong. He also admitted that since he is her only son, she is feeling insecure as he loves Nysa a lot. Arun and Nysa left for Mumbai the next day.

Their life together as a couple started there. Nysa changed the two bedrooms flat to a home, selecting each and every article with love and great care. She took care of each every detail to define their home starting from curtains, utensils, furniture, decorations, etc. Arun was proud of her, though he never used to praise her, she could see that in his eyes. He was fond of her culinary skills too. She used to take care of each and everything of their life, starting from cooking, cleaning, washing, laundry, and taking care of the household. Gradually, Arun had started praising her and he started appreciating her efforts too. They used to go to hospital together and come back together. It was perfect.

After two months, her in-laws had asked Arun and Nysa to come for a relative’s wedding at Addur. But as her father had fallen ill, Arun and Nysa had to rush to Ahmedabad. Nysa’s father had had a stroke and was admitted in ICU. Arun and Nysa stayed in Ahmedabad for five days till her father was out of ICU and returned home. Once they returned to Mumbai, her mother in-law called Nysa to know about her father. Nysa told her about his stroke and hospitalization. Her mother-in-law said as her father returned safely to his home, his illness was not that serious and Arun and Nysa could have made to that wedding after all. And she instructed Nysa that she should ask her father to make a will before his demise. Nysa was speechless to hear that. She told Arun about that call from his mother that very day. Arun defended his mother saying his mother didn’t mean any harm. Nysa and Arun quarreled, then. Arun accused her of complaining every time. Arun also said that his mother is feeling insecure and Nysa is not trying to understand that.

Four months later, Nysa’s father passed away. Nysa and Arun left for Ahmedabad. On the second day, Arun was called to Addur as his mother had fallen ill. Nysa underwent all the rituals to bid farewell to her father all alone. She returned to Mumbai after thirteen days and Arun had also flown back the same day. When Nysa enquired about her mother-in-law’s health, Arun informed her that his mother had eaten something stale and was down with dysentery. Arun told Nysa that he was really ashamed of leaving Nysa at the time of need and he had thought that his mother was seriously ill. Nysa asked Arun if she had something wrong to deserve this attitude from her mother-in-law. Nysa started crying and Arun asked her to stop crying and blamed Nysa for all the problems Nysa had with his mother, he also said that he is being grinded from both the sides. Nysa was shocked to hear that.

Their first anniversary was approaching. Arun’s mother came to Mumbai to visit them. Arun and Nysa had to go to hospital everyday; they used to get a holiday only on Sundays. They used to leave for the hospital early in the morning and they used to return home at night. Arun’s mother told Arun that Nysa is not a proper wife; she can’t cook also. She accused Nysa of not taking care of her household. Nysa used to prepare breakfast for them all before leaving for the hospital, and after coming back also she used to cook dinner. Her mother-in-law complained that after eating Nysa’s food, she had got stomach problems. One day when Arun appreciated Nysa’s food, his mother stopped eating. Every day when they used to come back from hospital, she started pretending she is ill.

On that Sunday, she kept on taunting Nysa and told Arun that her neighbour’s daughter-in-law is always at home, doing all the cooking and household duties. Nysa lost her temper and left the house for a walk. When she came back after some time, she found her mother-in-law seething. She just ignored that and started her cooking. She served the lunch when again her mother-in-law complained about Nysa’s cooking. Nysa was also fuming by the end. Nysa and Arun quarreled after that and Arun got so angry that he started hitting his wife. Nysa became unconscious and Arun left the house to have some peace outside. Arun’s mother took her opportunity and sprinkled kerosene on Nysa and set her ablaze. Nysa came out of the house yelling in pain with those angry flames around her. Their neighbors rushed her to hospital.

Today is their first anniversary and Nysa is in ICU with 85% burns. Outside Arun is sitting with his hands on his head. Nysa can go any moment now.